‘Heartbreaking’: Lavey man’s narrow loss to Luke Littler

By Niall Keenan

Pearse Mackle’s remarkable journey took another twist as he came within touching distance of £501,000 on Netflix's 'Beat Luke Littler' special.

Mackle received quite the welcome when he returned to The Lavey Inn on Sunday afternoon.

Back playing darts at the County trials, the 21-year-old was greeted with a round of applause as he entered, before being quickly surrounded by bright-eyed youngsters eager to hear from someone who had just shared a stage with one of the biggest names in world sport.

It was a far cry from the relative anonymity he had enjoyed just days earlier, but Mackle was still coming to terms with a whirlwind weekend which had seen him come within a dart of claiming £501,000 against world number one Luke Littler.

While the eventual prize escaped him, the experience of taking on the teenage sensation in front of a live audience was one he will not forget in a hurry.

"I was actually hoping a few people went before me and hoping they all lost, no offence," he laughed.

"I just wanted a couple of more games to practise backstage and whenever the next draw came round, I was hoping it would be me. I was delighted. I just had to run out and crack on with the walk-on."

There was no opportunity for a quiet introduction to Littler, either, with the first time Mackle met his opponent coming on stage.

The walk-on itself was something to savour, with the Cavan man making his entrance to Thin Lizzy's 'The Boys Are Back in Town'.

"I think I enjoyed it a bit too much. I took a bit too long maybe to get on stage," he laughed.

'Fierce' Pearse was the eighth contestant to challenge 'the Nuke' on the night and with the darting phenomenon experiencing a dip in performance – Mackle sensed an opportunity.

Two trebleless visits to start the leg from Littler opened the door and despite a 134 from the back-to-back world champion on his third throw Mackle was still first to a finish.

With Littler leaving himself on double 20 from 105, the Cavan man came back to the board needing to checkout 89 for the jackpot of around €600,000.

Single 19, single 20 were found but the bullseye eluded Mackle.

"I just rushed into it because I was thinking this is for half a million. I didn't want to think about that too much, so I just threw it and hoped it went in."

Mackle had given himself a genuine opportunity to cause an upset, becoming the first contestant to have a dart at a double to win the match.

A grimace crossed his face as Littler stepped forward and pinned double top to bring the contest to an end.

For Mackle, it was a moment that would take a little longer to sink in.

"I wasn't too bothered after I lost. I didn't really think I've just missed out on that prize. I just thought it was a class experience."

"I was so happy I didn't even think or care about losing the money, but it was just the next day (Saturday), it was just heartbreaking. You just think about what could have been if it went in because that's life-changing money.

"That was a bit gut-wrenching, but you just have to take it on the chin."

Mackle was also quick to acknowledge that he had been given an opportunity against Littler, who he felt was not at his best during their encounter.

"He was off for a couple of games anyway. I think I got him at the best possible time.

"I was lucky enough that he was throwing fairly bad that leg, so I was fairly lucky to have a chance as it was."

Once the action was over, Mackle was quickly discovering the extent of the attention his appearance had generated.

"I must have stood for about 50 or 60 pictures and autographs," he said.

"Oul fellas and young lads with their foam fingers. It was mad!"

Despite the occasion, Mackle insists nerves were not a major factor when he eventually stepped up to the oche against Littler.

"Not really, no. When I watched it back it looks like I'm a bag of nerves, but when I was actually up there, I didn't feel that nervous. I was just thinking, 'play half-decent'.

"I wasn't really thinking about the money. The only time I thought about the money was when I was about to throw for the bull. Like, this is for half a million (£501,000), and that's why it went as high as it went."

While the prize money may have passed him by, the exposure from the Netflix appearance has already been considerable.

His phone has been inundated with messages, while photographs and clips from the event have been shared widely across social media.

"I've only been seeing nice messages and nice stuff put up about me. I haven't seen any negatives at all, which is rare," he said.

"You usually see a lot of negative stuff about darts players on Facebook and stuff, and my phone has just been bombarded.

"I haven't really had the chance to answer everyone back. There have just been so many messages and the amount of friend requests I've been getting from people I don't even know is mental."

There is also the possibility that his appearance could provide a platform for further opportunities, particularly when it comes to sponsorship and developing his career in the sport. Mackle has previously competed on the PDC Development Tour and represented Ireland at the oche as a youngster.

However, balancing darts with his studies has presented its own challenges, with the third-year Global Commerce student at the University of Galway currently completing a work placement. He is hopeful the attention generated by his appearance could help him take the next step.

"Hopefully something else comes out of it, sponsorship etc. I don't know, maybe nothing at all. Maybe I have to put myself out there a bit more and hopefully people will look out for my name and if I throw well," he said.

"Because it's hard to do it off the back of one game."

For now, there is little time to dwell on what might have been. Following a hectic few days in Manchester and his return to the oche for the County trials on Sunday, Mackle was back on his university work placement on Monday morning.

"It was hard enough getting out of bed this morning," he admitted.

"I'm wrecked after the whole weekend, especially after playing yesterday (Sunday) as well. It was a draining weekend, but it was class as well.

"Back on the horse, that's it. Sure, what can you do? You can't dwell on it."

He emerged from the process as one of just 24 selected, experienced the bright lights of a live Netflix production and came within a single dart of a life-changing sum.

The £501,000 may have escaped him, but the reception awaiting him back home in Lavey was a reminder that his remarkable weekend had already meant an awful lot to those watching on.